Rockets land near Afghan presidential palace during Eid prayers

At least three rockets landed near the presidential palace in the Afghan capital of Kabul as prayers, attended by President Ashraf Ghani and other politicians, were being held for Eid al-Adha.

Rockets, fired from Parwan-e-Se area north of Kabul, hit the area in the early morning hours on Tuesday.

According to Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai, the rockets appeared to have been fired from a pickup truck. One did not detonate, he said.

"Based on our initial information, we have no casualties," he added.

The blasts from the impact of the rockets were heard across the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses the presidential palace and foreign embassies.

In a video posted on the palace's official Facebook page, the president was seen standing at the front of dozens of men, who continued with their prayers even as the rockets were heard overhead and exploding nearby.

Ghani blames Taliban

Although there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Ghani blamed the Taliban militant group for the rocket attacks.

"The Taliban have proved that they have no will and intention for peace," he said in a speech afterwards.

The militants have intensified attacks across Afghanistan recently as the United States completes a withdrawal of all forces from the country. On Monday, a dozen diplomatic missions in Kabul called for "an urgent end" to the surge of violence, saying, "The Taliban's offensive is in direct contradiction to their claim to support a negotiated settlement."

"It has resulted in loss of innocent Afghan lives, including through continued targeted killings, displacement of the civilian population, looting and burning of buildings, destruction of vital infrastructure, and damage to communication networks," they said.

SS